Thungathurthi MLA Mandula Samel faced sharp criticism after making derogatory remarks targeting Brahmins and the chanting of Vedic blessings during the swearing-in ceremony of Manakondur MLA Dr. Kavvampalli Satyanarayana as the Chairperson of the TPCC SC Wing at the Congress party office, Gandhi Bhavan, in Hyderabad. The remarks drew condemnation from BJP leaders, including Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Telangana BJP leaders, who demanded an apology from the Congress MLA.
During the ceremony, on March 12, Vedic mantras were recited in Sanskrit as part of the traditional blessings. Mandula Samel allegedly questioned the chanting, asking whether it was a blessing or abuse, and claimed that “Manuvad is filled in society,” remarks that were insulting Brahmins and Hindu traditions.
It is notable that none of the ministers or Congress leaders present on the stage intervened or responded while the remarks were being made. The comments were made in the presence of several senior leaders, including Telangana ministers Gaddam Vivek Venkatswamy, Ponnam Prabhakar and Adluri Laxman, who were attending the programme.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar and BJP Telangana leaders condemned the language used by the Congress MLA and demanded that he apologise to the Hindu community.
BJP Telangana President N. Ramachandra Rao also criticised the remarks in a post on X. “The derogatory and abusive remarks made by Thungathurthi MLA Mandula Samel on Brahmins, ridiculing Hindu Dharma and mocking sacred Vedic mantras reflect the Congress party’s deep-rooted hatred towards Hindus, Sanatana Dharma and Hindu customs,” he wrote.
Rao questioned the silence of the Congress leadership and challenged Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to take action against the MLA.
In another statement, Ramachandra Rao also criticised the arrest of Hindu leaders who protested against the remarks.
“Instead of apologising for the abusive remarks made against Hindus and Hindu customs, the Congress government has chosen to arrest those who were protesting against the Thungathurthi MLA. This reflects complete disregard for the sentiments of the Hindu community,” he said, demanding their immediate release.
Speaking to the media, BJP Telangana spokesperson Ashok Mustapure said the party strongly condemned the comments made by Mandula Samel against Indian culture and Hindu Dharma.
“In India, reciting Vedic mantras and giving blessings at meetings, inaugurations and auspicious events has been part of an age-old tradition. It reflects a spiritual culture that wishes well for everyone. Distorting such a practice and speaking offensive words targeting the Hindu community is highly objectionable,” he said.
Mustapure further alleged that Samel’s remarks were not merely personal but reflected the mindset of the Congress party. He questioned why the Congress leadership had not publicly condemned the comments so far.
“Neither Chief Minister Revanth Reddy nor PCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud has spoken a word on the issue. Their silence strengthens the suspicion that such remarks are part of a broader political approach,” he said.
The BJP has demanded that Mandula Samel issue a public apology for his remarks and hold the Congress leadership responsible for failing to condemn the statements.
So far, none of the senior Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud, or any ministers, have condemned the statements made by their MLA or distanced themselves from his remarks. Critics describe this silence as a “silent approval”. There are also allegations that the MLA is a crypto-Christian and was elected from an SC reserved constituency.
Critics argue that this reflects the mindset of Congress leaders when it comes to Hindu sentiments, claiming that if similar remarks had been made against non-Hindus, the entire Congress leadership—from Delhi to the local cadre—would have erupted in anger and taken to the streets.
